ISLAM

Question 1

What are the 4 books Muslims identify as sacred texts?

Answer 1

Abrahamic scrolls, Psalms, Gospels and Qur’an. The Qur’an is the main source of authority and presents rules and guides for the lives of Its adherents.

Question 2

Why is the Qu’ran so significant?

Answer 2

The Qur’an is so deeply regarded as it is viewed as the final word of God as revealed to Muhammad by the Angel Gabriel. It is seen as Muhammad’s most important miracle and proof of his significance. The Qur’an deals with the principles of belief and presents Muhammad as an example of God’s message. It also gives information about the nature of God.

Question 3

When is the Qur’an not considered the sacred text?

Answer 3

When it is translated into other languages. It is only sacred when in Arabic

Question 4

How many chapters are in the Qur’an and what literay style are they in?

Answer 4

There are 114 chapters (sura’s)
They are in rhyming prose (poetry)
The chapters were named and divided by Muhammad who supervised the writing process.

Question 5

When was the Qur’an written?

Answer 5

It was written in 654CE

Question 6

What are the 4 beliefs of Islam?

Answer 6

Monotheism
Resurrection
Justice
Prophet-hood

Question 7

What are the 4 types of revelations?

Answer 7

Natural Law
Animal instincts
Inspiration to human heart
Formal revelation to an appointed messenger

Question 8

What is formal revelation to an appointed messenger?

Answer 8

How the Qur’an came about - through prophets and transcendent experiences

Question 9

What are the 5 pillars of faith and what do they mean?

Answer 9

Salat: ritual prayer, completed 5 times a day
Shahada: sincerely reciting Muslim profession of faith
Zakat: alms-giving, paying charity/tax to benefit the poor
Haji: pilgrimage to Mecca
Sawn: fasting during the month of Ramadan

Question 10

What is the importance of the 5 pillars of faith?

Answer 10

They are the framework of a Muslim’s life. Shows they put faith first not secular life.

Question 11

What are the rules regarding handling the Qur’an?

Answer 11

Wudu/ablution - ritual cleansing before touching it
Mutahiroon = someone that is clean and purified
Should be kept on a high shelf
Cannot touch it if you are menstruating or had intercourse. Non Muslims should not handle it in Arabic, barriers should be used.

Question 12

What is the Hadith?

Answer 12

The sayings and actions of Muhammad. Information about prayer and worship, Halal and Haram, life after death etc.

Question 13

Did Muhammad have a role in the authorship of the Qur’an?

Answer 13

Muhammad had no role in the authorship of the Qur’an (directly from God). This is evident due to its rich literary eloquence while Muhammad was illiterate.

Question 14

How many parts, pages, chapters and verses are in the Qur’an?

Answer 14

30 juz (equal parts) 
604 suhuf (pages)
114 suras (chapters) 
6238 ayahs (verses)

Question 15

Have any original copies survived to today?

Answer 15

2 original copies still exist today

Question 16

What is Sirat-al-Mustaqeem?

Answer 16

The straight and balanced path in one’s personal and social life

Question 17

Should the Qur’an be read silently?

Answer 17

No. Qur’an literally means recitation and was written to be read aloud and listened to.

Question 18

What is Sunnah?

Answer 18

The practices, customs and traditions of Muhammad that are considered to be a ‘model,’ found in the hadith and other texts

Question 19

What is the term for someone who has memorised the Qur’an?

Answer 19

When people memorise it, they are given the title ‘guardian’ when they ‘carry the Qur’an in their hearts.’ The male title is hafiz and the female title is hafizah

Question 20

How is Islam unique in terms of the canon?

Answer 20

Islam is unique in the sense that it only contains one book in the Canon.